2010 Ford Focus: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 287 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (14% of complaints); the 2011 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days
0
recalls
287
owner complaints
4
fire reports
52,500
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaigns4 fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 287 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)14% · 38 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)13% · 35 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)11% · 29 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)9% · 24 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages (door locks, latches, hood release)8% · 22 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)7% · 18 complaints
“The contact owns a 2010 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while leaving the parking lot and attempting to shift into reverse(R), the gear shifter failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted to schedule an appointment to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,264.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2026
“Multiple mechanics working at and including but not limited to: Firestone, discount tires, Midas, Walmart, independent mechanics have informed me the rear wheels can not be realigned with the front wheels due to how it was designed. This has caused my rear wheels to become more and more out of alignment with no way to repair the misalignment. So all steering components have been more and more hard to control and are being destroyed at a faster rate. Including but not limited to: car sound deadening stuff. Bolts, nuts, screws, undercarriage, tire wear, the front alignment etc. It has not been inspected by anyone but mechanics.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2025
“On June 22 myself and my wife were pulling out of the Food Lion Parking Lot. As we proceeded out to the main Road the gas pedal stuck. The car kept accelerating and know matter what I did I could free the gas pedal. Because of that we hit 3 cars in the intersection. Our car literally exploded putting Myself and my wife in the hospital .My wife has had 3 surgeries for a broken pelvis.She is still in serious condition.Myself I suffered 3 broken ribs and a lacerated liver. Ford should be held accountable for our terrible pain and suffering.?”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2010 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the air bag was flopping around. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but no assistance was provided. The contact called the local dealer, where it was determined that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2024
“Today, I took my Ford Focus in for service(05/25/2022). I had the oil changed and my vehicle tires rotated.While the service was being performed,I was informed my tire lug nuts were loose and defective in most cases.My advisor told me I should replaced all the lug nuts for safety as she knew of a Ford recall involving the lug nuts. I discovered there was no recall,but there was a class- action lawsuit that was dismissed in 2019.I looked at the old lugs and decided to not keep them on the vehicle and had new ones installed.I have the old lugs nuts for inspection if needed.I do not want to take a chance on my vehicle safety,so that is why I had them replaced.”Owner report · Wheels · May 2022
“Both rear doors will not stay closed as the latches do not work. The doors will swing open when driving if not secured with a strap, making it unsafe to have passengers in the back seat. Other models and different years of the same model have had recalls issued for the same issue. I haven't taken it to be inspected as I cannot afford to pay $140 at the dealership for the diagnosis. I did not own the vehicle when the issue first occurred so I don't know if there were any warning signals prior to the issue appearing.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jun 2021
“Safety issue 3 of doors will not open from outside in a accident if the driver side damaged there will no way to open doors from outside this should be enough for a recall”Owner report · Structure · May 2021
“I was severely injured when a vehicle turned in front of me while going 40 mph I slammed onto the brake so hard I broke my toe as I t boned the passenger side of the vehicle all of her airbags deployed mine did not my face slammed the steering wheel so hard my head slammed into the head rest behind me. My injuries so far are a concussion, fractures bent nose, a jaw strain and possible fractured my two front teeth, neck injury and whiplash, and a muscular issue with my right shoulder. At this point I can not work because of my injuries.*dt”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2021
“Car stalls when no fuel is given, ie: at red light, stop sign, even just slowing down while making a turn. Occurs on city street and highway during stop and go traffic. Brought car into mechanic - did diagnostic, etc. Could find nothing to cause engine to die suddenly. Have happened multiple times. Was instructed to contact ford dealer.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2021
“[xxx] were driving in their 2010 ford focus and attempted to stop at a sign. The vehicle would not stop and accelerated. The shepherd were in a crisis. The vehicle jumped a railroad track, flipped, and landed in an embankment. [xxx] airbag (passenger) did not deploy. Both are seriously injured and would like to file a claim against ford motor company regarding the defects. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 2010 Ford Focus reliable?
NHTSA has 287 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Ford Focus. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Ford Focus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 52,500 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.